Preparation of squalane by hydrogenolysis

Abstract

Novel 2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyltetracosane-10,15-diol derivatives. Such derivatives are prepared by hydrogenation of 2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyltetracosa-11,13-diyne-10,15-diol derivatives and used as starting materials for preparing squalane.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A process for preparing squalane which comprises submitting, i. a compound having the formula (I): ##STR9## wherein X and Y represent hydroxy radicals or one of X and Y represents a hydroxy radical and the other represents a hydrogen atom,   ii. a mixture of compounds of the formula (I), or a mixture of (iii) with squalane, to hydrogenolysis in the presence of a metal catalyst selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, palladium, platinum, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium, osmium and rhenium and a compound thereof unsupported or supported on a carrier and in the presence of an acidic substance selected from the group consisting of organic carboxylic acids, Bronsted acids, Lewis acids, solid acids, and hydrogen salts of a strong acid and a weak base at a temperature of from about 100° to 300° C. under a hydrogen pressure of from about 20 to about 150 kg/cm 2 .   
     
     
       2. The process for preparing squalane of claim 1 in which the hydrogenolysis is carried out in an organic carboxylic acid. 
     
     
       3. The process for preparing squalane of claim 1 in which the hydrogenolysis is carried out in an organic carboxylic acid together with an amount of a stronger acidic substance than said organic carboxylic acid, said amount being insufficient to prohibit the hydrogenolysis. 
     
     
       4. The process for preparing squalane of claim 1, wherein the hydrogenolysis is carried out in a hydrocarbon solvent. 
     
     
       5. The process for preparing squalane of claim 2, wherein the organic carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, propionic acid, lactic acid and isolactic acid. 
     
     
       6. The process of claim 1, wherein the catalyst is Pd. 
     
     
       7. The process of claim 1, wherein the catalyst is nickel. 
     
     
       8. The process of claim 2, wherein the acidic substance is acetic acid. 
     
     
       9. The process of claim 1, wherein the Bronsted acid is sulfuric acid. 
     
     
       10. The process of claim 1, wherein the Bronsted acid is hydrochloric acid. 
     
     
       11. The process of claim 1, wherein the solid acid is activated alumina. 
     
     
       12. The process of claim 1, wherein the salt of a strong acid and a weak base is magnesium sulfate.